Southern California -- this just in

San Diego police officer attacked; bystanders come to her aid

August 13, 2011 | 8:18
pm

A San Diego police officer was attacked Saturday afternoon, and residents of the City Heights neighborhood rushed to her aid -- the second time bystanders have come to the assistance of a police officer in that neighborhood in a week.

Officer Kelly Doherty was attacked as she was trying to question a suspect on a bicycle shortly after noon. Doherty had stopped him when he was spotted riding erratically and was almost hit by a car.

When she began a computer check to see if he had any arrest warrants, he sought to flee. She gave chase and soon a fight was underway.

Two men ran to help her when they saw the suspect punching her. Doherty and the two men suffered knife wounds before the suspect, Michael Gonzalez, was subdued.

Doherty was taken to the hospital. Her wounds were not considered life-threatening.

Gonzalez, 43, will be charged with three counts of attempted murder, police said.

A week ago residents rushed to aid Officer Jeremy Henwood after an assailant shot him with a shotgun as he sat in his patrol car at a stoplight in City Heights.

One resident attempted first aid on Henwood; a second used the radio in his car to notify the dispatcher that he had been shot. Police credit the latter with giving a description of the assailant's car that allowed them to find him within minutes of the attack.

Henwood died several hours after being attacked. His funeral was held Friday.